SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH DEBACLE
Dear PFT Brothers and Sisters,
On February 10, the board of education announced that they were on a “fast-track” to hire a new superintendent. At the same meeting, the board looked for “input” from the “stakeholders”. A special board meeting was planned for Saturday, February 28. They announced they would be including everyone affected by this decision.
On February 24, after a long agenda, the board announced no one but they would be part of the hiring for the new superintendent. For the few people still in attendance at this late school board meeting, this was a shock. No selection advisory committee is part of the planned (and now approved) process. It was also announced that there would be a very short timeline: the job closes onMarch 13.
Although the board made great attempts to reach the public to attend the special Saturday meeting, a communication process that we have been asking for, there was no explanation of why the board is not using our district hiring protocol…except a citing of the need for “confidentiality” in the process. Although reminded of the confidentiality clause in our protocol, the board is adamant that they will use their own process. Clarifying questions were asked that night, and all public attendees were told was that was the decision.
Many people attended the special board meeting on Saturday, February 28. Approximately 70 community members, parents, teachers, administrators, and others attended the three-hour meeting. Although many wished to discuss the process, most were told to stop and that it was not appropriate, that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss criteria only. There was no discussion, only a formal, rigid presentation of ideas. There was no feedback from the board, no indication of next steps, nothing but note-taking.
Thank you, in advance, for your action in this process as we move forward. This hire is an incredibly important moment for our district. Our voices need to be heard.
In solidarity,
Kim
What's NEXT? See our Take Action Now page!
Dear PFT Brothers and Sisters,
On February 10, the board of education announced that they were on a “fast-track” to hire a new superintendent. At the same meeting, the board looked for “input” from the “stakeholders”. A special board meeting was planned for Saturday, February 28. They announced they would be including everyone affected by this decision.
On February 24, after a long agenda, the board announced no one but they would be part of the hiring for the new superintendent. For the few people still in attendance at this late school board meeting, this was a shock. No selection advisory committee is part of the planned (and now approved) process. It was also announced that there would be a very short timeline: the job closes onMarch 13.
Although the board made great attempts to reach the public to attend the special Saturday meeting, a communication process that we have been asking for, there was no explanation of why the board is not using our district hiring protocol…except a citing of the need for “confidentiality” in the process. Although reminded of the confidentiality clause in our protocol, the board is adamant that they will use their own process. Clarifying questions were asked that night, and all public attendees were told was that was the decision.
Many people attended the special board meeting on Saturday, February 28. Approximately 70 community members, parents, teachers, administrators, and others attended the three-hour meeting. Although many wished to discuss the process, most were told to stop and that it was not appropriate, that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss criteria only. There was no discussion, only a formal, rigid presentation of ideas. There was no feedback from the board, no indication of next steps, nothing but note-taking.
Thank you, in advance, for your action in this process as we move forward. This hire is an incredibly important moment for our district. Our voices need to be heard.
In solidarity,
Kim
What's NEXT? See our Take Action Now page!
RSS Feed